Hi

I don't have Windows Vista yet but on my next laptop I will.

Does someone kwow wether it is possible to configure in the power options that it has the aero glass interface in AC-mode and the aero or basic interface in battery-mode? I read in articles that the aero glass interface drains the battery faster so this would be an interesting setting.

Another question: does the Home Premium edition have all the power-configuration options or is it usefull to pay more for the Ultimate edition?

It already kinda does that. Go to Power Save Mode and the translucency is disabled, but the rest of Aero isn't.

Help with me writing the program...

If anyone here knows VB.NET or C# (or maybe C++.net), then I need some help:

I need the DeviceIoControl API to reduce the LCD backlight brightness - but it needs the device name, and when I pass it, it won't work. I use the GetDeviceDriverBaseName function - but I need a good sample to use it correctly. Any help is greatly appreciated (and will probably be rewarded with the program!).

Found this on channel9 - not using a laptop at the moment, so I can't test, but it might work for you.

http://channel9.msdn.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=172493

WOW!

Thanks, I'll try and see if it'll work - in a few days or a couple weeks.

THANK YOU!!

P.S.: I also have problems with disabling devices - an example for that is also helpful. (OpenDriver, DriverProc, then CloseDriver; but the parameters are confusing.)

I tried - without success.

It seems like the CreateFile("\\\\.\\LCD",...) (or whatever that string was) returns -1. Is it always named "\\\\.\\LCD" for laptops, or could it be something like MONITOR, DISPLAY, DEFAULTMONITOR, or something else instead of LCD?

Do you know what ports on the hardware control the LCD brightness? Tried direct writing to the hardware?

I'm not that pro at APIs...

I just need a template from which to copy and paste - and understand why it works. I am NOT a hardware guy (not even close).

*Edit:

I have tried API Monitor (without success) to monitor ALL API calls from ALL processes when I press Fn+F6 (which increases my screen brightness). But nothing comes up.

Edited January 3, 200719 yr by wfunction

How about turning off all the fancy gui? Reduce the high-end usage of your video card to save power. I know that my ati card slows down it's clock speed when on battery, but if you have all that eye-candy running, your card is running like mad.

Do you mean write a program which will turn off all the eye-candy?

That is not as effective as LCD backlight brightness, in my opinion.

But I might implement it.

FYI: I have ATI Radeon Xpress 200M.

Here's a question for the poster:

Why can't you install the Viao Power Management in Vista? Any error? I could possibly help you